After dining out and trying a new flavor, consumers want to experiment with new tastes at home. American palates have recently taken their dining cues from fiery, authentic flavors of Latin, Asian, African and Indian cuisines.
It may be a dark liquor, but bourbon is the clear leader of the spirit trend, fueled by the renewed interest in authenticity and craft heritage products, innovation from distilleries and elevated cocktail programs.
Chefs, long accustomed to using wine in cooking, are borrowing a page from mixologists, adding spirits to numerous formulations, especially sauces and marinades.